HC Deb 11 December 1950 vol 482 cc814-5
54. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a brief summary of the differences preventing international agreement on the banning of the atom bomb and the control of atomic energy.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I would refer my hon. Friend to the joint statement issued on 25th October, 1949, by the representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom. the United States, France, China and Canada, which sets out the differences on this question still existing between the Soviet Union and the other permanent members of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.

Mr. Hynd

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that that rather complicated statement is sufficiently clear to give widespread publicity to a very important matter?

Mr. Davies

I should have thought that it was comprehensible, but if my hon. Friend is not able to understand it adequately, I will gladly circulate a summary of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hynd

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is not a question of whether it is sufficiently clear for me, but whether it is sufficiently clear to have the necessary propaganda effect among the general public?

Mr. Davies

I will endeavour to see that publicity is given to this in a simple form.